Overtime loss denies ETSU conference tournament appearance for first time since 2009

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (Oct. 27, 2013) - Entering the day with a one-point lead over Lipscomb for the sixth and final spot in the upcoming Atlantic Sun Championships, the curtains were closed on ETSU's 2013 campaign by a dramatic golden-goal, game-winner at Northern Kentucky Sunday afternoon. The setback, coupled with Lipscomb's win over USC Upstate later in the day, left the Bucs on the outside of the conference tournament picture for the first time since 2009.

A valiant ETSU comeback to force overtime was not enough, as the Norse (6-10-2, 2-6-1) escaped the regular season finale with a narrow, 3-2 victory.

Trailing, 1-0, in the 80th minute, ETSU freshman Cecilia Re (Busnago, Italy) broke free of her defender, collected a pass from Kristi Davis (Edmond, Okla.) and fired a shot past NKU goalkeeper to even the score.

Less than four minutes later, however, the Norse recaptured the lead on a goal from Megan Frye that ETSU freshman goalkeeper Jasmine Elliott deflected but was unable to corral.

Battling to secure a spot in the conference tournament, the Bucs (7-9-2, 3-5-1) refused to give in, scoring another equalizer, this time on a header from sophomore Hannah Short (Bristol, England) following a Samantha Kron (Paradise Valley, Ariz.) corner kick.

However, ETSU's resilience fell just short, as NKU capitalized on a pinpoint pass from Allison Ponzer to Casey McMillan inside the box to net the game-winner and seal the win.

Later in the afternoon, Lipscomb was able to put the finishing touches on a 4-1 win over USC Upstate to retake possession of sixth place, clinching the program's first ever bid to the Atlantic Sun Championships.

Friday, ETSU had supplanted Lipscomb for sixth place with a 1-0 victory over the Bisons (6-7-5, 3-3-3) in Nashville.

The conclusion of Sunday's matches finalized the upcoming league tournament draws.